When an old friend of her ex-husband develops the world's first botanically decaffeinated coffee bean and smuggles it into the country, Clare Cosi believes it's a business opportunity she needs to investigate... at least until the first dead body shows up. With casualties piling up and a complicated blend of old and new loves muddying the waters, it's up to Clare to find the murderer before one of her near and dears takes the fall. Otherwise, her latest addition to the menu will prove to be a real buzz killer….

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Publisher's Summary

At the Village Blend, Clare Cosi's best baristas may refer to a decaffeinated espresso as a "why bother?" but Clare knows a good percentage of her customers prefer the neutered brew. So when an old friend of her ex-husband develops the world's first botanically decaffeinated coffee bean and smuggles it into the country, Clare believes it's a business opportunity she needs to investigate... at least until the first dead body shows up.

With casualties piling up and a complicated blend of old and new loves muddying the waters, it's up to Clare to find the murderer before one of her near and dears takes the fall. Otherwise, her latest addition to the menu will prove to be a real buzz killer….

I have to say that the author is really coming into her own. Still a few weird things that I couldn't understand why she did, but it didn't really interfere with my enjoyment of the book.. except I kept wanting it to be explained!

The mystery was excellent. I didn't figure it out until the author wanted me to do so. I enjoyed the characters much more and thoroughly laughed and smiled when Madame and Clare start investigating together.

You can tell the author is very proud of her New York areas. The descriptions get a little long winded, but doesn't really detract from the story.

Recommended to anyone that likes or loves coffee. Love the mix of coffee history and coffee preparation methods and secrets.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

Constantly wondering what was going to happen next. Many twists and turns and never quite clear how things might or even could end.

What about Rebecca Gibel’s performance did you like?

Excellent voices that helped identify characters and build suspense. Ms Gibel made you relate directly with the characters and I found myself wanting to talk out loud to the characters to warn them about what might happen next.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes, definitely! Very hard to pause for even a moment. Didn't even watch the news on TV until the book was finished.

Any additional comments?

Love the series and can't wait until the rest of the books in the series are recorded. Will be on the lookout for more from the author and also more from the narrator.

Would you consider the audio edition of Decaffeinated Corpse to be better than the print version?

EXPRESSION, IN MY OPINON, IS WHAT CAN MAKE OR BREAK A BOOK. REBECCA HAD TO COVER QUITE A FEW VOICES, FROM THE VERY OLD, HAUTY, AND TEENAGE, MANY MENS VOICES AND SHE COVERED THEM ALL WITHOUT SKIPPING ABIT. THAT IS VERY HARD TO DO AS I TOOK EXPRESSION LESSONS WHILE GROWING UP AND HAD TO MEMORIZE WHOLE PLAYS, I WAS VERY NERVOUS BUT I LEARNED HOW TO USE YOUR VOICE AND LUNGS TO MAKE DIFFERENT CHARACTERS COME ALIVE. NO BIG BREATHS INBETWEEN THE CHANGE AS MANY NARRATORS DO. SO SHE IS A SURE 5 IN MY BOOK.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Decaffeinated Corpse?

THE HALLOWEEN PARTY.

What about Rebecca Gibel’s performance did you like?

THE EXCELLENT WAY SHE MADE A STORY ABOUT COFFEE INTO A GREAT MYSTERY.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

NEITHER, BUT IT KEEP ME UP TILL I HAD IT FINISHED. THERE ARE NOT MANY THAT CAN DO THAT OUT OF ALL OF AUDIBLE BOOKS. A MEMORABLE COZY BOOK.

When I first started listening to this novel I was thinking it was a good thing I didn't start with this book because I would have stopped here and not found how much I enjoy Clare, Matteo, and the rest. It wasn't the story itself so much as the interpersonal reactions of Clare and Joy. I wanted to take Clare by the neck and shove her against the wall at every conversation she had with Joy. Maybe it is raising a daughter myself and that Clare seems to be saying one thing while doing another. Joy isn't 12, she's what? 21? I will continue listening, because I know there is good stuff in there. An author can't sustain a perfect record with every book in a series. Good book, just don't let the stupid interactions get in the way of the story. Please don't let it happen, pretty please.

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